Title
Honoring and congratulating Philadelphia Gay News on the distinguished occasion of its 50th anniversary in Philadelphia, serving as Philadelphia's longest-running LGBTQ+ publication, and serving as a vital independent voice that advances equality, visibility, and community.
End
WHEREAS, In 1976, Philadelphia Gay News (PGN) was founded by Mark Segal, emerging at a time when LGBTQ+ voices were largely excluded from mainstream media. PGN was established to provide an independent and reliable news source focused on the lives, achievements of the LGBTQ+ community, and struggles; and
WHEREAS, Mark Segal is a pioneering figure in the LGBTQ+ rights movement. He was an active leader of the Stonewall Riots, a pioneering journalist, and a community organizer in Philadelphia for over five decades. He co-founded the Gay Liberation Front, helped plan the first Pride march, founded PGN, and established influential LGBTQ+ media organizations; and
WHEREAS, PGN operated with limited resources but outsized impact, becoming a trusted source of information when media outlets misrepresented LGBTQ+ communications. The publication chronicled the growth of Philadelphia's LGBTQ+ organizations, and political power, preserving stories that would be lost otherwise; and
WHEREAS, PGN played a crucial role in reporting the HIV/AIDS crisis, honoring those lost, and amplifying the voices of activists, healthcare providers, and people living with HIV/AIDS. PGN took the first step of providing coverage before other media outlets took the crisis seriously; and
WHEREAS, Beyond journalism, PGN has served as a community institution, amplifying marginalized voices, supporting local organizations and businesses, and holding public officials accountable on issues affecting LGBTQ+ residents. As LGBTQ+ rights movements gained momentum, PGN expanded its coverage of national and local politics, anti-discrimination legislation, marriage equality, military service, and evolving cultural visibilit...
Click here for full text